Living on the road – B1+ English listening test

Summary

A year ago, the speaker and their partner Nick moved into a camper van to be together while Nick worked as an auditor across the country. The speaker had to leave their office job and pursued painting, but soon found frustration in the lack of sales. They began an online accountancy course and write a blog about their life. Although living on the road is challenging—dealing with limited space, chores, and isolation—it offers unique rewards like waking up to nature. The speaker longs for the freedom to travel more and experience new places like Scotland and the Irish coast.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker and their partner Nick moved into a camper van a year ago to spend more time together while Nick traveled for work.
• 😀 Nick’s job as an auditor meant he was away from home for 3 to 4 days each week, which inspired the decision to live in a van.
• 😀 The speaker initially pursued a career in landscape painting and blogging but found it difficult and unsustainable.
• 😀 The speaker transitioned to an online accountancy course, aiming to work remotely from the van once qualified.
• 😀 The speaker’s blog, originally intended to showcase their exciting van life, shifted to a more honest reflection of the challenges they faced.
• 😀 Life in a van comes with practical challenges, including limited storage space, laundry, and managing deliveries.
• 😀 The speaker misses having personal possessions like their piano, sewing machine, and cooking equipment that they used to have in their flat.
• 😀 Although van life can be difficult and isolating, the speaker appreciates waking up to nature and the changing seasons.
• 😀 Traveling to less touristy areas and staying at campsites or quiet lanes allows the couple to explore and engage with local communities.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, the speaker values the simplicity and flexibility of van life, but acknowledges it’s not as freeing as it might seem.
• 😀 The couple has found ways to adapt to the logistics of van life, such as using laundrettes and shopping more frequently due to the limited fridge space.

Q & A

Why did you decide to live in a camper van?

We moved into a camper van about a year ago when my partner Nick got a job as an auditor. His job meant he was away for 3 or 4 days each week in different parts of the country, and I hardly saw him. The camper van idea allowed me to travel with him.

Where do you usually travel during a normal week?

We travel to wherever Nick has to work, usually a town or city. We either stay at a campsite or, if that’s not possible, we park in quiet lanes where locals don’t mind the van being parked for a few days.

How do you spend your weekends when you're not traveling for Nick's work?

On weekends, we head to a different location in the general region to do some hiking or bike riding and explore the area.

Did you have to leave your job when you moved into the van?

Yes, moving into the camper van meant I had to leave my office job, which was dull. I decided I would paint landscapes and sell my artwork as we traveled.

Why did you stop painting and what did you decide to do instead?

I got bored and frustrated because my pictures didn’t sell and the van became cluttered with art supplies. I missed doing something useful, so I started an online accountancy course. Once qualified, I'll be able to work online from the van.

What is your blog about, and how did it evolve?

I initially thought my blog would focus on the exciting aspects of van life, and I hoped to earn money through advertising. However, it became more about writing honestly about the challenges I faced. It became a way for me to vent my feelings, though I doubt many people read it.

What is the hardest part about living in a van?

There are lots of logistical challenges, like where to get deliveries, how much stuff you can buy, and where to do your laundry. Additionally, I miss having things like my piano and sewing machine, and I can’t just buy random ornaments. But with time, we've figured out ways to manage.

How do you manage everyday tasks like laundry and getting baths?

We figured out ways to handle chores with minimal hassle, such as using laundrettes instead of having a washing machine and visiting generous friends or campsite owners to get hot baths when we can.

Has living in the van freed up your time as you expected?

No, life on the road doesn't really free up time. You end up going to laundrettes more often, buying groceries more frequently because of the small fridge, and overall, the constant moving adds time-consuming tasks.

What is the most enjoyable part of living in the van?

The most enjoyable part is waking up to the sound of birds and experiencing life more closely tied to the weather and the seasons, something I didn’t get when I lived in a flat.

What places would you like to visit, but find difficult to reach in your van?

I would love to travel to places like Scotland or the Irish Coast and truly experience the country, but that’s something we haven't been able to do yet.